Ross Taylor keen on retaining Kiwi captaincy

Taylor was told Hesson would recommend a captaincy change on the team's return to New Zealand.

Sydney, Dec. 5 (ANI): New Zealand captain Ross Taylor is keen to retain his post amid an untenable relationship with coach Mike Hesson, leaving New Zealand Cricket boss David White to return to a king-sized mess, according to a report.

An announcement on the captaincy could happen as early as possible on White's return, who is returning a day earlier than originally scheduled, from International Cricket Council business in Dubai.

Taylor remains a strong chance of being usurped by Brendon McCullum for this month's tour of South Africa, as is Hesson's wish, but a groundswell of public support for the incumbent has New Zealand Cricket facing another public relations disaster if McCullum is installed, Stuff.co.nz reports.

According to the report, the key is Hesson and Taylor's relationship, which was virtually non-existent to begin with, and stretched to breaking point during the tour of Sri Lanka.

It has also been learnt that Taylor was not only given the option of walking away from the captaincy before the 10-wicket defeat in the first test in Galle, but also told that Hesson would recommend a captaincy change on the team's return to New Zealand, the report said.

Taylor lacks support from a core of senior players who back McCullum, while Hesson and McCullum are close friends, it added.

A captaincy split is also on cards, with Taylor retaining the test reins and McCullum taking over the limited overs sides, remains a possibility. But given the Hesson-Taylor relationship it seems highly unlikely unless mediation is called in, the report concluded.